Home / Environment / Whittlesey Residents Cheer as Recycling Plant Expansion Denied
Whittlesey Residents Cheer as Recycling Plant Expansion Denied
5 Mar
Summary
- Council refused plans to nearly triple recycling plant's annual processing capacity.
- Concerns over increased HGV traffic, dust, and air quality led to refusal.
- Residents celebrated the decision after raising health and noise concerns.
Cambridgeshire County Council's Planning Committee has made the decision to refuse expansion plans for Johnson Aggregates Recycling Limited at the former Saxon Brickworks in Whittlesey. The proposed expansion would have nearly tripled the site's annual processing capacity from 250,000 to 614,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste and incinerator bottom ash.
This decision was driven by significant community concerns about the potential adverse impacts of increased operations. Residents and the county council's public health team raised alarms about a substantial rise in HGV traffic, expected to increase from 62 to 332 vehicles daily. Concerns also focused on intensified noise and dust, which could negatively affect local health and well-being.
The planning officers themselves noted that the development would have an unacceptable impact on highway capacity and local air quality. Following a six-hour meeting where around 50 residents voiced their objections, the committee ultimately voted against the plans, which had been initially recommended for approval.
Residents who live near the site expressed relief and satisfaction with the outcome. Many have reported issues with dust and expressed fears about health problems, particularly those with respiratory conditions. The company now has six months to consider an appeal against the council's decision.
